Cap devices on CSA Kepi?

[RickyTexan]

Hi Team. I see lots of Union Kepis with all sorts of insignia and cap devices, including cloth "US" and numbers/letters and crossed swords, bugles, etc. I have been trying to find if these were used or common for CSA kepis. In addition, I saw a slouch hat with a brass Texas star in front, but wonder if these were ever on the front of CSA kepis?
THanks for any guidance and help as always.
Ricky

 

[UCVRelics]

The use of the crossed saber, horn, cannon etc was a yankee thing, even though the CS Army did use hat letters. On the star here is a thread I posted on this subject.

Recent Find - More Relics From A Confederate Parole Camp The Mississippi Star | Relic Hunting & Collecting

Having the duty at the museum the last few days gave me a chance to get a bunch of stuff unboxed and laid out. I really didn't realizes just how much I had found in this one section until I saw it laid out. My favorite 2 pieces have to be the Mississippi I button and the Mississippi Star. When...

civilwartalk.com

 

[captaindrew]

Not very common on CS caps, they had more important uses for brass. Adornments like the star you mentioned would've been a personal addition made by the hat's owner.

 

[captaindrew]

I'll add that it really wasn't all that common on Federal caps either as the war went on and if you look at photos of men in the field. If anything at all you may see a cloth corps badge sewn on the cap or the left breast of their fatigue blouse as required by some commanders with maybe the addition of a brass company letter or regiment number. You won't see much bling on these veterans.

 

[DixieRifles]

I was told the CS Army regulations prescribed the use of brass insignia, specifically the numerals.

Is that correct?

 

[captaindrew]

I was told the CS Army regulations prescribed the use of brass insignia, specifically the numerals.

Is that correct?

CS uniform regulations were pretty much out the window faster than they were written

 

[UCVRelics]

CS uniform regulations were pretty much out the window faster than they were written

You are spot on. I have found hat letters in early war CS camps but late war camp zip, Nada.

 

[captaindrew]

I was told the CS Army regulations prescribed the use of brass insignia, specifically the numerals.

Is that correct?

I recommend the following site to anyone wanting to dive deeper into CS uniforms, start with this article, http://www.adolphusconfederateuniforms.com/basics-of-confederate-uniforms.html for an overview then click on new research for more detailed info.

 

[UCVRelics]

I recommend the following site to anyone wanting to dive deeper into CS uniforms, start with this article, http://www.adolphusconfederateuniforms.com/basics-of-confederate-uniforms.html for an overview then click on new research for more detailed info.

Its a great place for info and Fred has done a fantastic job over the years and he has been very helpful to me in the past on AVC uniforms and buttons.

 

[captaindrew]

Its a great place for info and Fred has done a fantastic job over the years and he has been very helpful to me in the past on AVC uniforms and buttons.

The first time I stumbled across his site I couldn't click away like not being able to put a good book down. I think the sun started coming up before I finally gave up. I go back and reference his articles all the time, it's a great resource.

 

[captaindrew]

If you're just talking caps/kepis another great place to look is Greg Starbuck's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/people/Kepi-Nation/100057388872813/ He makes by far the finest reproduction caps in the business. Scroll through and look at his work and read the comments, it's definitely worth the browse.

 

[DixieRifles]

CS uniform regulations were pretty much out the window faster than they were written

That doesnt tell what the regulations said— even if they ignored them.

 

[UCVRelics]

I was told

You know "I was told" don't get it around here. Below is the reg. You have to remember that in the first year and a half of the CW most troops were still under State uniform regulations.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

CS uniform regulations were pretty much out the window faster than they were written

After 9 1/2 years on this forum, that's one of the most accurate facts I've ever read.

 

[Package4]

That doesnt tell what the regulations said— even if they ignored them.

It wasn't as much that they ignored them, though they mostly copied the Federal regulations, they needed the material for percussion caps and buttons. Copper and tin were getting scarce.

 

[RickyTexan]

It wasn't as much that they ignored them, though they mostly copied the Federal regulations, they needed the material for percussion caps and buttons. Copper and tin were getting scarce.

I wonder why they didn't use wooden buttons and save the metal for other uses...or did they?

 

[UCVRelics]

I wonder why they didn't use wooden buttons and save the metal for other uses...or did they?

Late war they did, that a bone plus I have seen late war CS uniforms with yankee eagle buttons

 

[7thWisconsin]

Were there ever any of those infantry caps with the dark blue band, or was that a uniform regulation writer´s fantasy?

 

[Package4]

Were there ever any of those infantry caps with the dark blue band, or was that a uniform regulation writer´s fantasy?

Yes, there were many, I have a couple in my collection…..

 

[DixieRifles]

You know "I was told" don't get it around here. Below is the reg. You have to remember that in the first year and a half of the CW most troops were still under State uniform regulations.

Thanks. The Reg says the number insignia goes on the front. I understand that to mean on the lower band of cloth which means the buckle for the leather chinstrap is not used or moved to the side.